Figure 1622

Initial studies at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center (UCLA), using mycophenolate mofetil along with cyclosporine and prednisone, instead of azathioprine. In 37 pediatric renal transplantation recipients, an overall incidence of first acute rejection of just 19% was found (only 13% were clinically significant). This is a decrease compared with the historical incidence at UCLA (1987-1994) of acute rejection episodes in living related and cadaveric donor transplantations, which is 26% and 48%, respectively. The researchers saw a moderate increase in the incidence of infection after transplantation (mostly caused by cyclomegalovirus) and gastrointestinal side effects. (From Ettenger and coworkers [20]; with permission.)